Emma Börgeson Group
Short description
Emma Börgeson, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine.
About Börgeson Lab
The Börgeson lab is a translational research team, investigating the underlying disease mechanisms of obesity and cardiometabolic disease, with a special interest in inflammatory resolution.
Inflammation is a key driver of obesity-induced cardiometabolic pathophysiology and consists of two phases: an initial acute phase followed by a resolving phase. The latter is actively regulated by specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs). Lipoxins are one group of SPMs that act through defined receptors to promote the resolution of inflammation.
The overall aim of the research is to investigate and harness the therapeutic potential of lipoxins. Her studies suggest that treatment with lipoxins attenuates obesity-induced adipose inflammation and subsequent development of systemic disease (Börgeson et al, Cell Metabolism, 2015). Her lab is currently investigating the underlying mechanisms that mediate this protection, and whether their results from preclinical models can be translated to human pathophysiology.
The team combines experimental studies with clinical basic research to address their hypothesis in a translational manner. The Börgeson lab uses ex vivo cultures of patient tissue biopsies, which provides valuable “proof-of-principle” evidence to correlate experimental data with human physiology. This translational approach requires state-of-the art experimental and clinical facilities, as well as a broad network of pre-clinical and clinical collaborators.
Dr. Börgeson trained at Linköping University in Sweden, University College Dublin in Ireland, and the University of California San Diego in USA, before joining Gothenburg University in 2016. Her research resulted in numerous publications in top journals. In addition, Dr. Börgeson received several awards in recognition of her scientific work, including the VR and SSMF establishment award and several Young Investigator and Emerging Leader Awards.
National and International Collaborations
The Börgeson laboratory collaborates with several clinical platforms in Gothenburg, including Dr. Ville Wallenius and Dr. Lars Fändriks at the Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska Hospital, as well as the “Surgical Oncology Laboratory” and the “Fibrinolys Laboratory”. At the Wallenberg Laboratory, Dr Börgeson collaborates with leading Swedish scientists Dr. Jan Borén and Dr. Fredrik Bäckhed. Other national collaborations are established with Dr. Lena Jonasson and Dr. Robert Blomgran at the University of Linköping, as well as research staff at Uppsala University and the SciLifeLab national resource for molecular biosciences.
In addition, Dr. Börgeson has several international collaborations with leading scientists in the field. These include the University of California San Diego, University of California Davis, University College Dublin and the University College London.
Dr. Börgeson was recently awarded a Pilot Project Grant from the National Institutes of Health, in collaboration with Dr. Lange at UC San Diego. This pilot project established a collaboration with the West Coast Metabolomics Center at UC Davis, to investigate changes to the lipid metabolome in patient plasma samples.
Research Opportunities in the Laboratory
We are currently recruiting post-docs, PhD students, registered nurses and lab technicians. For more information please contact emma.borgeson@gu.se
Emma Börgeson
Wallenberglaboratoriet, Sahlgrenska University Hospital Blå Stråket 5, 413 45, Gothenburg
Visiting Address:
Sahlgrenska University Hospital Blå Stråket 5, Elevator H, level 2/3
Delivery address:
Wallenberglaboratoriet, Lab 7, Bruna Stråket 16, 413 45 Göteborg, Sweden
+46 31 342 38 33 (office)
+46 31 342 94 83 (lab)
Catherine Åhlund
Biomedical analysist, University of Gothenburg
Ida Bergström, PhD
Flow cytometry coordinator
Clinical Immunology Department
Matúš Soták, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
Postdoctoral Fellow, AstraZeneca, Sweden.
PhD in Physiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.
MSc Biology – Cell biology and biochemistry, Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.
Meenu Rohini Rajan, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow
PhD in Medicine Linköping University, Sweden.
MSc in Genetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology, University of Sussex, UK
Jamie Kraft
PhD Student, University of Gothenburg
Alankrita Rani
Visiting student, University of Gothenburg
Madison Clark
Visiting student
California State Polytechnic University, USA.
Armando Vazques
Visiting student, University of California, San Diego
Alumni
David Tandio
Visiting student
University of Gothenburg
Benuarda Toto
Graduate student
Technische Universität Dresden
Alexis (Lexi) Gauthier
BSc student
Oregon State University, USA.
Alexandra Ferraro Werling
BSc student
University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Emelie Shehadeh
Undergraduate student
University of Gothenburg
Research Summary
We are a translational research team, investigating the underlying disease mechanisms of obesity and cardiometabolic disease, with a special interest in inflammatory resolution.
Inflammation is a key driver of obesity-induced cardiometabolic pathophysiology. It is often forgotten that inflammation consists of two phases: the initial acute phase, followed by a resolving phase. In order for inflammation to subside, resolution must be actively induced by specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs). These include the ω3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)-derived protectins, resolvins and maresins, as well as the ω6-PUFA-derived LipoxinA4 (LXA4) and LipoxinB4 (LXB4). Lipoxins attenuate neutrophil recruitment and induce a pro-resolving M2 macrophage (MΦ) phenotype, which promotes efferocytosis, i.e. removal of apoptotic cells by phagocytes. LXA4 mediates protection mainly via the FPR2/ALX G-protein coupled receptor, while the LXB4 receptor is yet to be identified. Importantly, both ‘stop’ and ‘go’ signals are equally important for achieving adequate inflammatory response and any dysregulation may cause disease.
The overall aim of our research is to investigate and harness the therapeutic potential of lipoxins. Our studies suggest that treatment with lipoxins attenuates obesity-induced adipose inflammation and subsequent development of systemic disease (Börgeson et al, Cell Metabolism, 2015). We are currently investigating the underlying mechanisms that mediate this protection, and whether our results from preclinical models can be translated to human pathophysiology.
We combine experimental studies with clinical basic research to address our hypothesis in a translational manner. We use ex vivo cultures of tissue biopsies, which provide valuable "proof-of-principle" evidence to correlate our experimental data with human physiology. This translational approach requires state-of-the art experimental and clinical facilities, as well as a broad network of collaborators.
Key Publications
GUP Latest publications: Emma Börgeson
Meenu Rohin Rajan, Matus Sotak, Fredrik Barrenäs, Tong Shen, Kamil Borkowski, Nicholas J Ashton, Christina Biörserud, Tomas L Lindahl, Sofia Ramström, Michael Schöll et al.
Comparative analysis of obesity-related cardiometabolic and renal biomarkers in human plasma and serum.
Scientific reports Oct 28;9(1):15385. (2019) doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51673-0.
Key original papers
Börgeson E, Wallenius V, Syed GH, Darshi M, Lantero Rodriguez J, Biörserud C, Ragnmark Ek M, Björklund P, Quiding-Järbrink M, Fändriks L, Godson C, Sharma K.
AICAR ameliorates high-fat diet-associated pathophysiology in mouse and ex vivo models, independent of adiponectin.
Diabetologia. 60(4):729-739 (2017). PMID: 28188334
Börgeson E, Johnsson A, Lee Y.S., Till A, Syed H, Ali-Shah, Guiry P, Dalli D, Colas R, Serhan CN, Godson C, Sharma K.
Lipoxin A4 attenuates obesity-induced adipose inflammation, liver and kidney disease.
Cell Metabolism. 7;22(1):125-37 (2015). PMID:26052006
Börgeson E, McGillicuddy FC, Harford KA, Corrigan N, Higgins DF, Maderna P, Roche HM, Godson C.
Lipoxin A4 attenuates adipose inflammation.
FASEB Journal. 26(10):4287-94 (2012). PMID: 22700871
Börgeson E, Docherty NG, Murphy M, Rodgers K, Ryan A, O'Sullivan TP, Guiry PJ, Goldschmeding R, Higgins DF, Godson C.
Lipoxin A4 and benzo-lipoxin A4 attenuate experimental renal fibrosis.
FASEB Journal. 25(9):2967-79. (2011). PMID: 21628447
Börgeson E, Lönn J, Bergström I, Brodin VP, Ramström S, Nayeri F, Särndahl E, Bengtsson T.
Lipoxin A4 inhibits porphyromonas gingivalis-induced aggregation and reactive oxygen species production by modulating neutrophil-platelet interaction and CD11b expression.
Infection and Immunity 79(4):1489-97. (2011). PMID: 21263017
Key review papers
Börgeson E.
The role of lipoxins in cardiometabolic physiology and disease.
Cardiovascular Endocrinology Journal, October 28, doi: 10.1097/XCE.0000000000000068. (2015).
Börgeson E, Sharma K.
Obesity, immunomodulation and chronic kidney disease.
Current Opinion in Pharmacol. 13(4):618-24. (2013). PMID: 23751262
Börgeson E, Godson C.
Resolution of inflammation: therapeutic potential of pro-resolving lipids in type 2 diabetes mellitus and associated renal complications.
Frontiers in Immunology, 18;3:318. (2012). PMID: 23087692
Grants and Awards
Active research grants as Principal Investigator
- European Research Council Starting Grant (2019-2025)
- Swedish Research Councils (2016-2020) – Junior PI starting grant #2016/82
- Swedish Society for Medical Research (2016-2020) - Junior PI starting grant #S150086
- Åke Wiberg’s Foundation (2016-2020) – Research funding #M15-0058
- National Institutes of Health (2016-2017) - UC Davis West Coast Metabolomics Center Pilot Project grant, in collaboration with Dr. Stephan Lange, UC San Diego, #DK097154.
Institutional Support, University of Gothenburg
- The Wallenberg Centre for Molecular & Translational Medicine (2016-2020) – Tenure-track funding
- Institute of Medicine (2016-2020) – Institutional co-funding as a Swedish Research Council grant recipient
Completed research grants
- Konrad och Helfrid Johansson’s Foundation (2016)
- Marie Curie International Outgoing Fellowship (2012-2015) - Post-doctoral fellowship
- IRCSET Embark Initiative (2007-2011) - PhD Scholarship
- Goljas memorial grant (2015)
- Wilhelm and Martina Lundgren’s grant (2015)
- Anna Whitlock’s Memorial Foundation (2007)
- Dr. Felix Neuberghs Foundation (2007)
- Emil & Maria Palms Foundation (2007)
- Filip Lundbergs Foundation (2007)
Awards
- Award for women scientists nomination, Hasselblad Foundation, Sweden (2015 & 2017)
- Junior Investigator Award, International Conference on Phospholipase A2 and Lipid Mediators, San Diego (2016)
- Emerging Leaders Award in Nutritional Sciences, Experimental Biology, San Diego (2016)
- Highlighted poster, Bioactive Lipids in Inflammation & Diseases, Puerto Rico (2013)
- Roche National Researcher of the Year nomination, Ireland (2013)
- Honorary Directors Prize due to special distinction, UCD Conway festival, Ireland (2013)
- Best moderated poster, Diabetes & Vascular biology, UCD Conway festival, Ireland (2013)
- Best scientific presentation, Irish Society of Nephrology, Ireland (2013)
- Outstanding junior career progression, ERA-EDTA ‘Molecular Targets in Renal Disease’ Symposia, Germany (2011)
News and Media
In the Media
- 2017: "Emma Börgeson undersöker inflammationens roll i fetma"
- 2016: Recipients of SSMF's award is selected in fierce competition among Sweden's most promising young scientists
- 2016: Four Swedish Research Council grants for young scientists
- 2015: Researchers boost body’s inflammation
News Spotlight
- 2017 May: Meenu and Matus receives funding from Lundbergs Foundation.
- 2017 April: Jennifer receives Von Sydows' stipend to join the lab for the summer.
- 2017 April: Participating in outreach at Sahlgrenska Academy Career Talks.
- 2017 Mar: Juan visiting UC Davis to work on WCMC Pilot and Feasibility Project .
- 2017 Feb: Publishing article in Diabetologia : AICAR ameliorates high-fat diet-associated pathophysiology in mouse and ex vivo models, independent of adiponectin.
- 2017 Feb: Juan presents his project update for collaborators at Gastlab .
- 2017 Feb: Presenting data at Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine Event , Gothenburg.
- 2017 Feb: Outreach with visiting BSc students from the Netherlands.
- 2016 Nov: Moderating at American Society of Nephrology , Chicago.
- 2016 Nov: Presenting data at Northwestern University .
- 2016 Oct: Initiating WCMC Pilot and Feasibility Project Grant , together with Profs. John Newman and Oliver Fiehn at UC Davis.
- 2016 Oct: Accepting the SSMF establishment award, Stockholm, Sweden.
- 2016 Oct: Visiting Dr. Jesmond Dalli's laboratory at The William Harvey Research Institute , Queen Mary's College, UK.
- 2016 Sept: Kindly invited by Dr. Joost Brandsma to presenting our work at Southampton University .
- 2016 Sept: Participating in Popular Science Day at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
- 2016 Aug: Presenting a junior keynote lecture at the Physiology conference in Dublin.
- 2016 July: Börgeson lab’s summer classes start, welcome students!
- 2016 July: Congratulations to Madison Clark and Lexi Gauthier, recipients of Börgeson lab’s summer scholarships 2016.
- 2016 June: We presented data on the role of lipoxins at the European Obesity Summit in Gothenburg.
- 2016 June: Delighted to receive an UC Davis National Institutes of Health Pilot Grant, with collaborator Prof. Stephan Lange .
- 2016 May: Grateful to receive the Junior Investigator Award, International Conference on Phospholipase A2 and Lipid Mediator s.
- 2016 May: We presented a poster at the LIPID MAPS Annual Meeting.
- 2016 April: Presenting our data at the International Seminar Series, University of Gothenburg.
- 2016 March: Grateful to receive the Junior Investigator Fellowship from the Swedish Research Councils.
- 2016 March: We received the Establishment Fellowship for Junior Investigators from Swedish Society for Medical Research .
- 2016 Jan: Celebrating with our collaborators at Gastlab, our clinical study “ADIPOS2” is 1 year old and progressing very well.
- 2016 Jan: Grateful to receive the Emerging Leader award in Nutritional Sciences at the Experimental Biology conference, San Diego
